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Player-coach Tim Fourie was pleased with Rossendale’s performance at Bradford and Bingley on Saturday, despite suffering their sixth defeat of the season.

The Stags are 10th in the National 3 North after losing 41-30 in Yorkshire but Fourie feels his makeshift side has surpassed expectations, suggesting the future bodes well for the club.

Dale led against a free-running Bradford and Bingley side, as they did in their home defeat by league leaders Harrogate the week before.

And although veteran dual-code international Henry Paul helped the hosts recover to claim victory, Fourie saw enough to be confident Dale will climb the table as his injury crisis clears over the next few weeks.

"We know we can get better but I’m happy with the players that have come in," he said. "They’ve shown they can perform at this level and make the step up."

Wingers Danny Harrison and Sam Lowthian are among those to have shown promise and they were straight in the thick of things on Saturday as the Stags started brightly, getting the ball out wide to their speedy youngsters on the flanks.

But Dale then struggled to win the breakdown and get quick ball and Brett Mitchell burrowed over for the hosts in the seventh minute, before the Stags replied with Harrison touching down after supporting a break from full-back Steve Nutt.

Mitchell drove over from a line-out to put the hosts back in front in the 25th minute and, although the Dale defence regrouped, Richard Tafa kicked a drop goal.

The Stags pulled a try back as scrum-half Jamie Albinson scampered over and Nutt converted to make the half-time score 13-12.

Nutt then kicked a penalty before scoring an 80-metre interception try to give Dale a 22-13 lead in the 46th minute.

But two minutes later, Paul came on to make his debut for the hosts and moments later his centre partner Tafa burst through for his first try.

A penalty for each side meant the Stags still led with 20 minutes left, before Paul released Tafa, whose kick bounced kindly for the hosts to score a converted try, adding a penalty to stretch their lead.

The Bees’ full-back Richard Scull then opened up the Stags’ defence, allowing Tafa to cross again, and although Dale’s Dan Collins capped a superb all-round display with a late try, Scull kicked a penalty to seal victory and take the hosts level with Dale in the table.

Sam Greenwood was suspended and, although Tom Short was unavailable, he returns to face Penrith this Saturday. Fourie could then return from injury for the following week’s visit of Waterloo, along with Andy Dauncey and Ian Marshall. Leyton Taylor needs a little longer to recover though.

"Last year we had no serious injuries, everyone was training regularly so we had continuity," said Fourie. "This year it seems every week someone else has got hurt or suspended.

"We had six first-teamers out this week, plus Jordan Lord and Danny Rylance, who’ve come into the first team this year.

"You just have to take the rough with the smooth.

"Four or five will be back in the next week or two, though, and they’ll make a big difference.

"Christmas is coming up and people start thinking about that. It’ll be cold, dark and wet, and we’ve got people coming back who haven’t played for a few weeks so anything can happen.

"They’ll be fresh and hungry so they’ll be like new players for us. I think we’ll surprise a few people in the next few weeks.

"Penrith are always tough but it’s far easier to play them at home than away," added the veteran second-rower.

"Their nine and 10 run the game for them so if we give them time and space we’re in trouble, but if we put them under pressure I think we’ll win, even with a depleted side."